Makarios Lazaridis criticizes Nikos Dendias over remarks on ND polling
Tensions surfaced within Greece’s ruling New Democracy (ND) after senior party figure Makarios Lazaridis publicly criticized Defense Minister Nikos Dendias for recent comments regarding the party’s political direction and polling performance.
Speaking to Parapolitika 90.1 radio, Lazaridis said that high-ranking party officials should raise concerns internally rather than at public party events.
“If you are a senior minister who has been fighting for the party, you discuss such matters within the collective party bodies and primarily with the prime minister and party president. I would not have made these statements,” Lazaridis said, adding that such remarks “do not help.”
His comments followed Dendias’ speech at a party event in Agrinio, where the defense minister called for an “honest exchange of views” at ND’s upcoming party congress in May to assess “what we are not doing right.” Dendias expressed concern over the party’s polling figures, noting that in some surveys ND’s percentage “often starts with a two,” rather than what he suggested would be more satisfactory results.
Lazaridis dismissed concerns about party unity, stating that ND remains “more united than ever” and pointing to recent opinion polls showing the party above 31 percent. He also rejected speculation about leadership challenges.
“If someone believes they can overthrow Kyriakos Mitsotakis after seven years in government—during which the party remains roughly 18 points ahead of the second party—then they are not standing on solid political ground,” he said.
The exchange highlights differing perspectives within New Democracy over strategy and messaging as the party prepares for its congress and looks ahead to future national elections.
